RIP Benjamin Zephaniah (15th April 1958 – 7th December 2023)
Dub poet, novelist, lyricist and playwright, Dr. Benjamin Zephaniah paved the way for so many black british writers with his pen. His work focussed on racism within the UK and colonialism.
It is so cliche to start talking about somebody's work once they pass away but I would like to do so anyway:
"Too Black Too Strong" (2001) - Poems that address the struggles of black Britain that, compared to his works before, are much more forceful. Some of the poems featured in this were written when he was working with Michael Mansfield QC and other Tooks barristers on the Stephen Lawrence case. (Available on The Anarchist Library)
"Propa Propaganda" (1996) - His second collection of poetry that continues to surround around the themes of anti-colonialism, racism and anti-establishment features some of his most famous works such as "I Have a Scheme", "The Angry Black Poet" and "White Comedy"
"Rasta Time in Palestine" (1990) - a travelogue and a collection of poetry he wrote while visiting occupied Palestinian territories. (Available on Internet Archive). Zephaniah was an avid supporter of the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign and attended demonstrations calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. The photo above is of Zephaniah at a London Protest in 2010.
Do you ever start thinking about the fact that Dazai literally made tiny snowmen based on his favourite people? The ones he secretly keeps in his heart?
Silly little companion (in spirit, if not in writing - but a man can dream) to The Art of Losing (Is Hard to Master) by the amazing @insertmeaningfulusername, the second chapter of which has just gone up this week! the little fluffball finally has a name!! :3
Happy Last Scarland day! Here's my Rolling Down Mainstreet and Hotel Architecture work for @scarland-artbook🎈🎈
process vid:
The entire scene uncropped:
Hotel Drafts:
For the hotel, I thought about the hallways and the general opulence and ambiance when you walk in (chandeliers, check-in counter, tiling on the floors). I mapped out all of the rooms (e.g. the outdoor patio, the lounge, the café/deli, & Scott and Fwhip's decorated rooms).
A few inspirations I took were the following:
Sun & Thirteen Cantons in Soho
Great Central Pub at The Landmark London
Prince of Wales Hotel at Niagara-on-the-Lake
I also wanted to consider an elevator for access... And if I had more ideas outside of the hotel layoutway honestly I'd keep designing with laundry chutes and more hallways and a pool. I love hotels
i like to think everyone has a colour associated with them, whether its just your fave colour or what you generally wear most of or what colour your bedroom walls are. i always associate the name sophie with dark blue, my mum is always a nice turquoise, i like to think my colour is a bright sunflower yellow.
if you have a specific shade pls tell me i adore when ppl have associated colours and tell me them, bc i think of them when i see that colour